Electronic system with continuous navigation mechanism and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic system includes: a control unit configured to generate a graphical navigation interface including a marker in a loop configuration, detect a touch gesture on the marker; and a user interface, coupled to the control unit, configured to present identifying information associated with the touch gesture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/871,764 filed Aug. 29, 2013, and the subjectmatter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Thisapplication claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/939,589 filed Feb. 13, 2014, and the subject matter thereofis incorporated herein by reference thereto. This application claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/813,116 filedApr. 17, 2013, and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein byreference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to anelectronic system, and more particularly to a system for continuousnavigation.

BACKGROUND

Modern consumer and industrial electronics, such as televisions,projectors, cellular phones, smartphones, appliances, and combinationdevices, are providing increasing levels of functionality to supportmodern life. Research and development in the existing technologies cantake a myriad of different directions.

Electronic systems provide more functionality in an ever decreasing formfactor. This represents challenges of accessing more information andcontent on a smaller device.

Thus, a need still remains for an electronic system with continuousnavigation mechanism to navigate through the various content andinformation. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitivepressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishingopportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace,it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems.Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies andperformance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgencyto the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.

Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developmentshave not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to theseproblems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic system,including: a control unit configured to: generate a graphical navigationinterface including a marker in a loop configuration, detect a touchgesture on the marker; and a user interface, coupled to the controlunit, configured to present identifying information associated with thetouch gesture.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of operation ofan electronic system including: generating with a control unit agraphical navigation interface including a marker in a loopconfiguration; detecting a touch gesture on the marker; and presentingidentifying information associated with the touch gesture.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a graphical userinterface to navigate a hierarchy of content on an electronic systemincluding: markers separated by a region with the markers and region ina loop configuration.

An embodiment of the present invention provides non-transitory computerreadable medium including instructions for execution, the mediumincluding: generating with a control unit a graphical navigationinterface including a marker in a loop configuration; detecting a touchgesture on the marker; and presenting identifying information associatedwith the touch gesture.

Certain embodiments of the invention include other steps or elements inaddition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elementswill become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an electronic system with continuous navigation mechanism inan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is examples of displays of the electronic system utilizing agraphical navigation interface.

FIG. 3 is an example detailed view of the graphical navigationinterface.

FIG. 4 is an example operation of the graphical navigation interfacealong a single hierarchy.

FIG. 5 is an example operation of the graphical navigation interfacetraversing different hierarchies.

FIG. 6 is an example to implement the graphical navigation interface.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram of the electronic system.

FIG. 8 is a control flow of the electronic system.

FIG. 9 is a control flow of the retrieval module.

FIG. 10 is a control flow of the selection module.

FIG. 11 is an example of a graphical navigation interface in a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a graphical navigationinterface for interacting user interface elements in an applicationdesign for a phone, tablet, computer, notebook, television, or homeappliance. The building blocks of user interface structure include ofeither list or grids structures offering a consistent and predictablepattern to locate a given item in a list array. An example is an addressbook, where a list is used to store an array of contact names in A-Zorder. The lists can also include multiple levels of organization ormultiple hierarchies. In the example of the address book, there can beone level of the list elements; all the names in A-Z order. Other listscan be structured in categories, such as for music. Any given song canbe structured within an album or artist, then within a given genre, asan example. The graphical navigation interface addresses both themulti-level structure of nested lists as well as provides an easier wayto traverse a long list of elements in an array.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a user interface controlon a touch screen device that enables the user to use one continuousgesture to navigate a long list of items, and to navigate to sub levelsof a hierarchy with the same gesture. The term continuous refers to onecontinuous contact before the contact is released.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a looped or circularuser interface that will navigate or zoom down to the second level orlower level list when the user scrolls slower in the list and move up inthe hierarchy to the parent list when the user scrolls faster in thelist.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a small thumbnail ofartwork or an identifying information for visual recognition andvibration for haptic feedback to indicate the position in the list alongwith an audio/media sampled at the rate of the velocity or movement ofthe finger on the user interface control.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a looped or circularuser interface that is displayed, whereby the user traces the fingeralong the arc in a continuous motion to move up and down an array oflist items. The list will move in the direction of the user'sgesture—clockwise to move down the list, counterclockwise to move up thelist or reverse view of current hierarchy. As the items in the list moveup an audio sample is played to indicate position in the list, alongwith a small thumbnail of artwork, e.g. the identifying information, forvisual recognition and vibration for haptic feedback. The sample rate ofthe audio clip is based on the velocity or movement of the finger on theuser interface control. When the user scrolls slower in the list, thelist will navigate or zoom down to the second level list. Once in asecond level list, scrolling fast again will move up in the hierarchy tothe parent list, as an example. The movement or zooming from one listlevel to another is indicated by a visual cue.

The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring an embodiment of the presentinvention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and processsteps are not disclosed in detail.

The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic,and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for theclarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawingfigures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease ofdescription generally show similar orientations, this depiction in thefigures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can beoperated in any orientation.

The term “module” referred to herein can include software, hardware, ora combination thereof in an embodiment of the present invention inaccordance with the context in which the term is used. For example, thesoftware can be machine code, firmware, embedded code, and applicationsoftware. Also for example, the hardware can be circuitry, processor,computer, integrated circuit, integrated circuit cores, a pressuresensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS),passive devices, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown an electronic system 100 withcontinuous navigation mechanism in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The electronic system 100 includes a first device 102, suchas a client or a server, connected to a second device 106, such as aclient or server. The first device 102 can communicate with the seconddevice 106 with a communication path 104, such as a wireless or wirednetwork.

For example, the first device 102 can be of any of a variety of displaydevices, such as a cellular phone, smartphone, personal digitalassistant, a notebook computer, a computer tablet, a house-holdappliance, or a multi-functional device. The first device 102 cancouple, either directly or indirectly, to the communication path 104 tocommunicate with the second device 106 or can be a stand-alone device.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is described withthe first device 102 as a display device, although it is understood thatthe first device 102 can be different types of devices. For example, thefirst device 102 can also be a device for presenting images or amulti-media presentation. A multi-media presentation can be apresentation including sound, a sequence of streaming images or a videofeed, or a combination thereof. As an example, the first device 102 canbe a high definition television, a three dimensional television, acomputer monitor, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone, or amulti-media set.

The second device 106 can be any of a variety of centralized ordecentralized computing devices, or video transmission devices. Forexample, the second device 106 can be a multimedia computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a video game console, grid-computingresources, a virtualized computer resource, cloud computing resource,routers, switches, peer-to-peer distributed computing devices, a mediaplayback device, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, a three-dimensionenabled DVD player, a recording device, such as a camera or videocamera, or a combination thereof. In another example, the second device106 can be a signal receiver for receiving broadcast or live streamsignals, such as a television receiver, a cable box, a satellite dishreceiver, or a web enabled device.

The second device 106 can be centralized in a single room, distributedacross different rooms, distributed across different geographicallocations, embedded within a telecommunications network. The seconddevice 106 can couple with the communication path 104 to communicatewith the first device 102.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is described withthe second device 106 as a computing device, although it is understoodthat the second device 106 can be different types of devices. Also forillustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is shown with thesecond device 106 and the first device 102 as end points of thecommunication path 104, although it is understood that the electronicsystem 100 can include a different partition between the first device102, the second device 106, and the communication path 104. For example,the first device 102, the second device 106, or a combination thereofcan also function as part of the communication path 104.

The communication path 104 can span and represent a variety of networksand network topologies. For example, the communication path 104 caninclude wireless communication, wired communication, optical,ultrasonic, or the combination thereof. Satellite communication,cellular communication, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association standard(IrDA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), and worldwide interoperability formicrowave access (WiMAX) are examples of wireless communication that canbe included in the communication path 104. Ethernet, digital subscriberline (DSL), fiber to the home (FTTH), and plain old telephone service(POTS) are examples of wired communication that can be included in thecommunication path 104. Further, the communication path 104 can traversea number of network topologies and distances. For example, thecommunication path 104 can include direct connection, personal areanetwork (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network(MAN), wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein are shown examples of displays of theelectronic system 100 utilizing a graphical navigation interface 202.These displays depict examples of the graphical user interface includingthe graphical navigation interface 202.

The leftmost display is an example display on the first device 102 ofFIG. 1 where the graphical navigation interface 202 will be displayed.The leftmost display depicts a background 206. The background 206 is animage, text, video, sounds, or a combination thereof. The secondleftmost display depicts the graphical navigation interface 202 is usedto traverse content, information, an application, or a combinationthereof through touch and speed of a touch gesture 204 along thegraphical navigation interface 202. In one embodiment, the touch gesture204 operates on the graphical navigation interface 202 with the use ofonly one single finger on the graphical navigation interface 202. Thetouch gesture 204 will be described in more detail later.

For illustrative purposes, the embodiment of the present invention isdescribed with the graphical navigation interface 202 operating on thefirst device 102, although it is understood that the electronic system100 can operate differently. For example the graphical navigationinterface 202 can operate on the second device 106 of FIG. 1 or both onthe first device 102 and the second device 106. As a further example,the graphical navigation interface 202 can be used on the first device102 to control the second device 106 or vice versa or both. As yet afurther example, the graphical navigation interface 202 on the firstdevice 102 can interface with the graphical navigation interface 202 onthe second device 106. The graphical navigation interface 202 on thefirst device 102 and on the second device 106 can be the same ordifferent. The graphical navigation interface 202 on the first device102 and on the second device 106 can include functional coupling witheach other or operate separately and independently from each other.

Returning to the description for the second leftmost display, as anexample, on first device 102. The second leftmost display depicts thegraphical navigation interface 202 as the image “in front” of thebackground 206. The background 206 can be related to the content orinformation or application to which the graphical navigation interface202 can be used to traverse, control, or interact with. The background206 can also be a static image not relating to functionality of thegraphical navigation interface 202 with respect to the content orinformation or application.

As depicted in the second leftmost display, the graphical navigationinterface 202 is shown with markers 208 arranged for a continuous flowwhere the markers 208 are placed in the loop configuration. As anexample, the graphical navigation interface 202 is shown in a circularloop configuration. The graphical navigation interface 202 can also bearranged in a different configuration. For example, the graphicalnavigation interface 202 can be shown in a geometric configuration as anellipse, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a trapezoid, aparallelogram, or other closed perimeter geometric configuration.

As an example, the graphical navigation interface 202 includes themarkers 208 that are evenly distributed with a first spacing 210 betweenone of the markers 208 to the adjacent instances of the markers 208. Thefirst spacing 210 is a gap between the markers 208. The first spacing210 can be different between the markers 208.

The graphical navigation interface 202 also depicts regions 212. Themarkers 208 within one of the regions 212 can be depicted differentlyfrom the markers 208 within a different instance of the regions 212. Themarkers 208 can be depicted differently between the regions 212 in anumber of ways. For example, the markers 208 between the regions 212 orat least the adjacent instances of the regions 212 can be depicted withdifferent colors, thickness of lines, different geometricconfigurations, different animations, different sizes, different hapticfeedback, different auditory feedback, or a combination thereof. As anexample, the markers 208 between the different regions 212 are depicteddifferently in this figure by dashed pattern, line weights, or acombination thereof.

Each of the regions 212 represents a different content, information,classification, application, or a combination thereof in a hierarchy 214relative to the adjacent one associated with the graphical navigationinterface 202. The hierarchy 214 refers to a structure or organizationof information or content. The regions 212 can provide differentfunctionality and meaning depending on the current state of the firstdevice 102. The current state refers to the present state of the firstdevice 102 or the current application running on the first device 102.

The second leftmost figure also depicts the touch gesture 204 stationaryon the graphical navigation interface 202, although for description thetouch gesture 204 is not stationary in the figure but moving along thegraphical navigation interface 202 with a gesture speed 216. The gesturespeed 216 is the rate in which the touch gesture 204 moves along thegraphical navigation interface 202. In this example, the gesture speed216 is at a scanning speed 218. The scanning speed 218 is at a speedwhere the graphical navigation interface 202 does not change and themarkers 208 do not change while the touch gesture 204 is traversing thegraphical navigation interface 202 with the scanning speed 218. Thefirst spacing 210 of the markers 208 does not change with the touchgesture 204 moving along at the scanning speed 218 although thedepiction can change, as noted before.

In this example, the background 206 has changed to reflect the locationof the touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigation interface 202 aswell as the particular instances of the markers 208 invoking aparticular content, information, or application. The background 206 candisplay information about the song name, artist, album name, or genre inthe upper right hand portion of the background 206.

The background 206 can also change to depict an identifying information220 within the perimeter of the graphical navigation interface 202 wherethe identifying information 220 relates to or associated with thespecific instance of the markers 208 where the touch gesture 204 iscurrently positioned. The identifying information 220 can be representedin a number of ways. For example, the identifying information 220 can bean image, a video, text, or a combination thereof.

The depiction or representation of the markers 208 can be different withthe touch gesture 204 than without the touch gesture 204. In otherwords, the colors, thickness of lines, geometric configurations,animations, sizes, haptic feedback, auditory feedback, or a combinationthereof can different to those of the leftmost figure without the touchgesture 204.

Now referring to the middle figure or the third leftmost figure, thisfigure depicts the touch gesture 204 at a different location than in theprevious figure. At this location, the touch gesture 204 is in adifferent instance of the regions 212 and on a different instance of themarkers 208. As such, the background 206 is different in this figurethan in the previous figure.

The background 206 depicts different information at the upper left handcorner to reflect the information related to the specific instance ofthe markers 208 where the touch gesture 204 is located. In an example ofmusic player, the information can be the same type of information shownas in the previous figure, including the identifying information 220.

Transitioning from the middle figure to the second to the last rightmostfigure, the transition can occur if the gesture speed 216 falls outsidea hierarchy range 224. The transition depicts a traversal operation longthe hierarchy 214 of information or content.

The hierarchy range 224 provides values to determine if the currentvalue for the gesture speed 216 falls below a lower value of thehierarchy range 224, then that change in value in the gesture speed 216should invoke a different action than just traversing the touch gesture204 along the graphical navigation interface 202. As an example,transition to obtain more details about the markers 208 or the regions212 in which the touch gesture 204 is located. In other words, thegraphical navigation interface 202 can traverse the hierarchy 214 ofinformation or content based on the location of the touch gesture 204 onthe markers 208 when the gesture speed 216 falls outside of thehierarchy range 224.

The hierarchy range 224 can also provide a similar function with ahigher value but can be used to determine if the gesture speed 216 goesoutside the values determined by the hierarchy range 224 even if thegesture speed 216 goes faster than the high value of the hierarchy range224 as well as below the low value for the hierarchy range 224. When thegesture speed 216 goes outside of the hierarchy range 224, then this caninvoke a different action than just traversing the touch gesture 204along the graphical navigation interface 202. As an example, thegraphical navigation interface 202 can be traversed to invoke a higherlevel content, information, or category than the present level beingdisplayed with the graphical navigation interface 202.

The values for the hierarchy range 224 can vary depending on the currentstate of the electronic system 100, such as what application is running,the type of content or information, the type of interaction, the levelof hierarchy of the information, or a combination thereof. The low valueand the high value of the hierarchy range 224 can function independentlyof each other. Further, if the present level of the graphical navigationinterface 202 is at the most detailed or lowest level, then the lowvalue of the graphical navigation interface 202 can be ignored or notset to a value or to a zero value. Similarly, if the present level ofthe graphical navigation interface 202 is at the highest or broadestlevel, then the high value of the hierarchy range 224 can be ignored ornot set to a value or set to a maximum value.

In this second rightmost figure, the markers 208 are spaced in a secondspacing 226. This transition can occur when the gesture speed 216 fallsbelow the low value of the hierarchy range 224 to cause a more detailedview of the content or information related to the instance of themarkers 208 where gesture speed 216 was determined to go from thescanning speed 218 to a delta speed 228. The delta speed 228 is thespeed value of the gesture speed 216 where the touch gesture 204 invokeda different action than simply displaying the content or information orthe application related to the markers 208 while the gesture speed 216was at the scanning speed 218. In this example, the action invoked is tozoom in or view additional details related to the instance of themarkers 208 where the change was detected when the gesture speed 216changed from the scanning speed 218 to the delta speed 228.

The second spacing 226 is the gap between the markers 208 in thezoomed-in view in this example. The second spacing 226 is depicted as alarger gap than the first spacing 210, although it is possible that thesecond spacing 226 can be the same gap size as the first spacing 210 oreven a smaller gap size than the first spacing 210 depending on thenumber of instances for the markers 208 in this view.

Continuing with this example, the graphical navigation interface 202 isdepicted with only one instance of the regions 212 implying that thecontent in this view is the same type regardless of the instance of themarkers 208 the touch gesture 204 traverses over. While in this view, asthe touch gesture 204 moves along the graphical navigation interface202, a selection can be made with the markers 208 visible in thiscurrent view.

Now referring to the rightmost figure, the transition from the previousfigure to this one can be invoked by releasing the touch gesture 204from the location on the graphical navigation interface 202. Thisrelease action functions as a selection of the content or information orapplication related to the specific instance of the markers 208 wherethe touch gesture 204 was released or terminated.

In this example, the identifying information 220 that was previouslydepicted within the perimeter of the graphical navigation interface 202depicted in the middle figure and the second to last figure is now usedfor the background 206. This change can indicate the selection made withthe touch gesture 204 with the graphical navigation interface 202.

This figure depicts, as an example, that the graphical navigationinterface 202 reverts back to the version depicted in the leftmostfigure with the regions 212 and the markers 208 separated by the firstspacing 210. In this example, the graphical navigation interface 202returns to the same level or state as in the leftmost figure allowing aselection similar to a starting point as the second leftmost figurewithout the invocation with the touch gesture 204.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown an example detailed view ofthe graphical navigation interface 202. FIG. 3 can depicts the graphicalnavigation interface 202 as in the example in the leftmost figure inFIG. 2.

As in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 depicts the graphical navigation interface 202including the regions 212 and the markers 208. As described in FIG. 2,the markers 208 are depicted differently between one of the regions 212to another and the same within the same instance of the regions 212.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of additional details for each of the regions212 and the hierarchy 214 of information or content. In this example,the top-most portion of the hierarchy 214 can correspond to one of theregions 212 representing a particular type or classification of contentor information or application. Each of the regions 212 can provideadditional content or information as a sub-level 302 or next level ofthe hierarchy 214 relating to the particular instance of the regions212.

The additional details for each of the regions 212 can be organized orconfigured in a number of ways. For example, each of the regions 212 caninclude the sub-level 302 organized in a list or a tree structure. Alist structure is depicted in FIG. 3.

For illustrative purposes and for brevity, each of the regions 212 isdepicted with only one level or hierarchy with the sub-level 302,although it is understood that the graphical navigation interface 202can be organized differently. For example, each of the regions 212 caninclude differing number of elements within its respective instance ofthe sub-level 302. Also, the sub-level 302 can include further detailswith additional hierarchies or levels below or extending from thesub-level 302. Each of the regions 212 can include different structuresfor the sub-level 302 depending on the content, information, type,classification, or a combination thereof for each of the regions 212 andthe sub-level 302.

Further for illustrative purposes, FIG. 3 depicts the list for each ofthe regions 212 and the markers 208 and the information for thesub-level 302, although it is understood that the list information isnot displayed on the background 206 as a list or grid on the background206 as shown in FIG. 3. As described in FIG. 2, certain information isprovided on the background 206 based on the location of the touchgesture 204.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown an example operation of thegraphical navigation interface 202 along a single hierarchy. FIG. 4 candepict an example of the operation as described in FIG. 2 with the touchgesture 204 at the second leftmost figure in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 depicts the action invoked by the touch gesture 204 traversingaround the graphical navigation interface 202 and over differentinstances of the regions 212. FIG. 4 depicts the touch gesture 204traversing the graphical navigation interface 202 at the scanning speed218 without falling outside the hierarchy range 224. The regions 212represent the various content or information described in FIG. 3.

In this example, the top figure represents the location of the touchgesture 204 on a particular instance of the regions 212 and is relatedto specific content and specific information for the sub-level 302. Someinformation about each of these regions 212, the sub-level 302, or acombination thereof can be displayed as described in FIG. 2. The othertwo figures depict the change of position for the touch gesture 204 overdifferent instances of the regions 212 representing and relating todifferent content or information or application with the sub-level 302associated with each of the regions 212.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown an example operation of thegraphical navigation interface 202 traversing different hierarchies.FIG. 5 is similar to the description in FIG. 2. The middle figure inFIG. 5 provides a variation of the graphical navigation interface 202where the speed of movement for the touch gesture 204 falls below thelow value of the hierarchy range 224 of FIG. 2, then the instance of theregions 212 where a change trigger is detected, the markers 208 can beincreased to the second spacing 226 to allow fine grain control toselect the content or information or controls for that particularinstance of the regions 212.

In addition, for example, the other instances of the regions 212 in thegraphical navigation interface 202 can be spaced to a third spacing 502,which provides a different gap between the markers 208 to accommodatethe expanding gap size of the second spacing 226. This implies that thethird spacing 502 has a gap size less than the first spacing 210.

Also shown in this example, the second rightmost figure depicts thetransition of the graphical navigation interface 202 from the zoom modeor in the sub-level 302 back to a higher level by increasing the rate inwhich the touch gesture 204 traverses over the graphical navigationinterface 202. If the speed of the touch gesture 204 exceeds a highvalue of the hierarchy range 224, then the graphical navigationinterface 202 will transition from the current view of the sub-level 302to the next highest level.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown an example to implement thegraphical navigation interface 202. The graphical navigation interface202 is shown with the regions 212 and the markers 208. The markers 208can include a region marker 602 and a sub-level marker 604. The topexample depicts each of the regions 212 separated by the region marker602 providing a coarse level of display for the regions 212 and for easeof viewing. The lower example depicts a plurality of the sub-levelmarker 604 can be between adjacent instances of the region marker 602providing finer level of display, finer control, or a combinationthereof.

The region marker 602 represents a beginning of one of the regions 212and also indicates the end of the previous one. The sub-level marker 604relates to the content, information, or application within thatparticular instance of the regions 212 and for that hierarchy of thesub-level 302 of FIG. 3.

For illustrative purposes, the graphical navigation interface 202 isdepicted with the markers 208 visually depicting both the region marker602 and the sub-level marker 604, although it is understood that thegraphical navigation interface 202 can be configured differently. Forexample, the graphical navigation interface 202 can visually depict onlythe region marker 602 for each of the regions 212 and not visuallydepict the sub-level marker 604 for the content, information, orapplication for each of the sub-level 302. This variation allows for avisual depiction to focus on the broader topics and content. If thetouch gesture 204 of FIG. 2 triggers a crossing with the hierarchy range224, then the sub-level marker 604 can be shown for each content orinformation in the sub-level 302.

The example depicted in this figure is for a music player application.The upper left hand corner depicts example of different music genre,e.g. Pop, Dance, 60's, and these can be markers 208 or as a morespecific example each of the genre can be one of the regions 212demarked by the region marker 602. The table also depicts a number ofartists within each genre where an artist can appear in multiple genres.The list of artists can be the sub-level 302 for each of the regions212.

In this figure, a matrix is shown below the table associated with thegraphical navigation interface 202 mapping the commonalities from thesub-level 302, e.g. artist, from each of the regions 212, e.g. genre, tothe other instances of the regions 212. The numeric count can be used asCartesian values to place the region marker 602 for one of the regions212 relative to the other instances of the regions 212 along thegraphical navigation interface 202. The numeric values in the matrixrepresent the similarities of items or artists between the genres.

FIG. 6 also depicts the graphical navigation interface 202 as an examplestructural relationship between the regions 212, the markers 208, andthe sub-level 302. The structural relationship of the regions 212 andthe region marker 602 are depicted as one level of hierarchy. Thesub-level 302 and the sub-level marker 604 are depicted in a lower levelhierarchy relative to the region marker 602. The relative order of theregion marker 602 for one genre to the adjacent one can be determined bythe similarities or distance in the matrix example. The structuralrelationship of the graphical navigation interface 202 can beimplemented as a software structure, a database structure, or as a statemachine and state transitions in hardware.

As further example, an embodiment can automatically group either similarregions 212, as in a music player example tracks, (to providedrill-down) or a different sub-level 302, e.g. tracks (to providecontrast while circling through the channels), via separating intoprogressively smaller groups based on statistical clustering (e.g.,K-means) on metadata (possibly generated from the content directly,possibly genre and the like, or from user or item-based clustering likefor collaborative filtering). The first pass generates the regions 212as very broad categories, statistical, but at the same level ofgenerality as broad genres, like “classical”, “rock”, “jazz”. The nextpass might go into the sub-level 302 as sub-genres, then sub-sub-genres,etc. So the hierarchy is implicit because each sub-cluster subsumes itschildren.

Once we have the hierarchies, the hierarchy 214 of FIG. 2, automaticallycreated, then the graphical navigation interface 202 can be operated ina round-robin manner through the high-level clusters, as an example theregions 212, to provide aural differentiation, or else just use thehierarchies directly to do drill-down to the sub-level 302.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown an exemplary block diagram ofthe electronic system 100. The electronic system 100 can include thefirst device 102, the communication path 104, and the second device 106.The first device 102 can send information in a first device transmission708 over the communication path 104 to the second device 106. The seconddevice 106 can send information in a second device transmission 710 overthe communication path 104 to the first device 102.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is shown with thefirst device 102 as a client device, although it is understood that theelectronic system 100 can include the first device 102 as a differenttype of device. For example, the first device 102 can be a serverincluding a display interface.

Also for illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is shown withthe second device 106 as a server, although it is understood that theelectronic system 100 can include the second device 106 as a differenttype of device. For example, the second device 106 can be a clientdevice.

For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention,the first device 102 will be described as a client device and the seconddevice 106 will be described as a server device. The embodiment of thepresent invention is not limited to this selection for the type ofdevices. The selection is an example of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The first device 102 can include a first control unit 712, a firststorage unit 714, a first communication unit 716, and a first userinterface 718. The first control unit 712 can include a first controlinterface 722. The first control unit 712 can execute a first software726 to provide the intelligence of the electronic system 100.

The first control unit 712 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the first control unit 712 can be a processor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) an embedded processor, amicroprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite statemachine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combinationthereof. The first control interface 722 can be used for communicationbetween the first control unit 712 and other functional units in thefirst device 102. The first control interface 722 can also be used forcommunication that is external to the first device 102.

The first control interface 722 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first control interface 722 can be implemented in different ways andcan include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the first controlinterface 722. For example, the first control interface 722 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The first storage unit 714 can store the first software 726. The firststorage unit 714 can also store the relevant information, such as datarepresenting incoming images, data representing previously presentedimage, sound files, or a combination thereof.

The first storage unit 714 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the first storage unit 714 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The first storage unit 714 can include a first storage interface 724.The first storage interface 724 can be used for communication betweenand other functional units in the first device 102. The first storageinterface 724 can also be used for communication that is external to thefirst device 102.

The first storage interface 724 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first storage interface 724 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the first storage unit 714. The first storage interface724 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 722.

The first communication unit 716 can enable external communication toand from the first device 102. For example, the first communication unit716 can permit the first device 102 to communicate with the seconddevice 106 of FIG. 1, an attachment, such as a peripheral device or acomputer desktop, and the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 716 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the first device 102 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The first communication unit 716 caninclude active and passive components, such as microelectronics or anantenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 716 can include a first communicationinterface 728. The first communication interface 728 can be used forcommunication between the first communication unit 716 and otherfunctional units in the first device 102. The first communicationinterface 728 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The first communication interface 728 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the first communication unit 716. The first communication interface728 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 722.

The first user interface 718 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the first device 102. The first user interface 718 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the first user interface 718 can include a keypad, a touchpad,soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, an infrared sensor for receivingremote signals, or any combination thereof to provide data andcommunication inputs.

The first user interface 718 can include a first display interface 730.The first display interface 730 can include a display, a projector, avideo screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The first control unit 712 can operate the first user interface 718 todisplay information generated by the electronic system 100. The firstcontrol unit 712 can also execute the first software 726 for the otherfunctions of the electronic system 100. The first control unit 712 canfurther execute the first software 726 for interaction with thecommunication path 104 via the first communication unit 716.

The second device 106 can be optimized for implementing an embodiment ofthe present invention in a multiple device embodiment with the firstdevice 102. The second device 106 can provide the additional or higherperformance processing power compared to the first device 102. Thesecond device 106 can include a second control unit 734, a secondcommunication unit 736, and a second user interface 738.

The second user interface 738 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the second device 106. The second user interface 738 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the second user interface 738 can include a keypad, atouchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, or any combinationthereof to provide data and communication inputs. Examples of the outputdevice of the second user interface 738 can include a second displayinterface 740. The second display interface 740 can include a display, aprojector, a video screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The second control unit 734 can execute a second software 742 to providethe intelligence of the second device 106 of the electronic system 100.The second software 742 can operate in conjunction with the firstsoftware 726. The second control unit 734 can provide additionalperformance compared to the first control unit 712.

The second control unit 734 can operate the second user interface 738 todisplay information. The second control unit 734 can also execute thesecond software 742 for the other functions of the electronic system100, including operating the second communication unit 736 tocommunicate with the first device 102 over the communication path 104.

The second control unit 734 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the second control unit 734 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, hardware control logic, a hardwarefinite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or acombination thereof.

The second control unit 734 can include a second controller interface744. The second controller interface 744 can be used for communicationbetween the second control unit 734 and other functional units in thesecond device 106. The second controller interface 744 can also be usedfor communication that is external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 744 can receive information from theother functional units or from external sources, or can transmitinformation to the other functional units or to external destinations.The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources anddestinations external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 744 can be implemented in different waysand can include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the second controllerinterface 744. For example, the second controller interface 744 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

A second storage unit 746 can store the second software 742. The secondstorage unit 746 can also store the such as data representing incomingimages, data representing previously presented image, sound files, or acombination thereof. The second storage unit 746 can be sized to providethe additional storage capacity to supplement the first storage unit714.

For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit 746 is shown as asingle element, although it is understood that the second storage unit746 can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrativepurposes, the electronic system 100 is shown with the second storageunit 746 as a single hierarchy storage system, although it is understoodthat the electronic system 100 can include the second storage unit 746in a different configuration. For example, the second storage unit 746can be formed with different storage technologies forming a memoryhierarchal system including different levels of caching, main memory,rotating media, or off-line storage.

The second storage unit 746 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the second storage unit 746 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The second storage unit 746 can include a second storage interface 748.The second storage interface 748 can be used for communication betweenother functional units in the second device 106. The second storageinterface 748 can also be used for communication that is external to thesecond device 106.

The second storage interface 748 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the second device 106.

The second storage interface 748 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the second storage unit 746. The second storageinterface 748 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 744.

The second communication unit 736 can enable external communication toand from the second device 106. For example, the second communicationunit 736 can permit the second device 106 to communicate with the firstdevice 102 over the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 736 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the second device 106 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The second communication unit 736can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics oran antenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 736 can include a second communicationinterface 750. The second communication interface 750 can be used forcommunication between the second communication unit 736 and otherfunctional units in the second device 106. The second communicationinterface 750 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The second communication interface 750 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the second communication unit 736. The second communicationinterface 750 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 744.

The first communication unit 716 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the second device 106 in the first devicetransmission 708. The second device 106 can receive information in thesecond communication unit 736 from the first device transmission 708 ofthe communication path 104.

The second communication unit 736 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the first device 102 in the second devicetransmission 710. The first device 102 can receive information in thefirst communication unit 716 from the second device transmission 710 ofthe communication path 104. The electronic system 100 can be executed bythe first control unit 712, the second control unit 734, or acombination thereof. For illustrative purposes, the second device 106 isshown with the partition including the second user interface 738, thesecond storage unit 746, the second control unit 734, and the secondcommunication unit 736, although it is understood that the second device106 can include a different partition. For example, the second software742 can be partitioned differently such that some or all of its functioncan be in the second control unit 734 and the second communication unit736. Also, the second device 106 can include other functional units notshown in FIG. 7 for clarity.

The functional units in the first device 102 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The first device 102 canwork individually and independently from the second device 106 and thecommunication path 104.

The functional units in the second device 106 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The second device 106 canwork individually and independently from the first device 102 and thecommunication path 104.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is described byoperation of the first device 102 and the second device 106. It isunderstood that the first device 102 and the second device 106 canoperate any of the modules and functions of the electronic system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, therein is shown a control flow of theelectronic system 100. The control flow can include a retrieval module802, a partition module 804, a detection module 806, a presentationmodule 808, an identifier module 810, a traversal module 812, a velocitymodule 814, a scan module 816, a level module 818, and a selectionmodule 824.

The retrieval module 802 obtains the information that can be used togenerate the graphical navigation interface 202. The retrieval module802 can obtain the information or content from other module (not shown)or from an external source, such as a database, the second device 106 ofFIG. 1, or another instance of the first device 102 of FIG. 1, or acombination thereof. The specifics of the information obtained orretrieved by the retrieval module 802 are further described in laterfigures. The control flow can progress from the retrieval module 802 tothe partition module 804.

The partition module 804 analyzes the information to determine theregions 212 and the markers 208 for the graphical navigation interface202. The partition module 804 also determines the sub-level 302 and thenumber of those needed based on the information obtained.

The partition module 804 can analyze the information in a number ofways. For example, the partition module 804 can search for a structurein the information obtained. If the information is organized orconfigured in a list format or a format that has a hierarchicalstructure, then the partition module 804 can determine the regions 212,the markers 208, or a combination thereof based on the heading in thelist or the top level of the hierarchy 214. The distance between theregions 212, the markers 208, or a combination thereof can be determinedby the number of headings or items in the last and distributed evenlyalong the graphical navigation interface 202. The partition module 804can generate the spacing of the distribution can include the firstspacing 210 of FIG. 2, the second spacing 226 of FIG. 2, the thirdspacing 502 of FIG. 2, or a combination thereof.

The partition module 804 can also determine the region marker 602 aswell as the sub-level marker 604 as well as the sub-level 302 based onthe format of the information obtained. As an example, the partitionmodule 804 can determine the order of the regions 212 or the markers208, or as a more specific example the region marker 602, based on thedistance or similarities as described in FIG. 6. The placement of themarkers 208, or as a more specific example the region marker 602 and thesub-level marker 604, can be ordered along the graphical navigationinterface 202 by the distance or similarities in the matrix shown inFIG. 6.

The process described for the partition module 804 can be repeated oriterated depending on the number of levels in the format of theinformation obtained. The partition module 804 then arranges the regions212 and the markers 208 to generate the graphical navigation interface202 to navigate, invoke, or a combination thereof through theinformation obtained. The partition module 804 can also select andprovide the background 206 for the information relating to theinformation obtained and the graphical navigation interface 202. Theflow can progress from the partition module 804 to the detection module806.

The detection module 806 determines that the touch gesture 204 has beeninvoked or detected on the graphical navigation interface 202. Thedetection module 806 can also determine the location of the initialinvocation of the touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigationinterface 202. For example, the detection module 806 can identify thespecific instance of the regions 212, the markers 208, the sub-level302, or a combination thereof where the touch gesture 204 is located.The flow can progress from the detection module 806 to the presentationmodule 808.

The presentation module 808 presents some of the information based onthe initial invocation with the touch gesture 204 and its location. Theinformation can be displayed on the upper right corner of the background206 as depicted and described in FIG. 2. The presentation module 808 canalso present some of the content for the specific instance of theregions 212 or the markers 208 where the touch gesture 204 is located.For example, the presentation module 808 can play an audio sample or avideo clip if the graphical navigation interface 202 is for a musicplayer or a multimedia player, respectively. The flow can progress fromthe presentation module 808 to the identifier module 810.

The identifier module 810 presents the identifying information 220 ofFIG. 2 at the background 206 in an area within the perimeter of thegraphical navigation interface 202. The identifying information 220 canrelated to the specific instance of the regions 212, the markers 208, orthe sub-level 302 where the touch gesture 204 is located. The flow canprogress from the identifier module 810 to the traversal module 812.

The traversal module 812 detects movement of the touch gesture 204 alongthe graphical navigation interface 202. The traversal module 812 canprovide haptic feedback, auditory feedback, visual feedback, or acombination thereof. Each of these feedback can be based on the touchgesture 204 being located on or traversing over the region marker 602,the sub-level marker 604, or a combination thereof. While the touchgesture 204 is traversing the graphical navigation interface 202, theidentifying information 220 can also be updated based on the location ofthe touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigation interface 202. Theflow can progress from the traversal module 812 to the velocity module814.

The velocity module 814 determines if the speed of the touch gesture 204along the graphical navigation interface 202 is within or outside thehierarchy range 224 of FIG. 2. If the speed is within the hierarchyrange 224, such as the scanning speed of FIG. 2, as described in FIG. 2,then the flow can progress from the velocity module 814 to a scan module816. If the speed is outside the hierarchy range 224, then the flow canprogress to a level module 818.

The velocity module 814 also determines if there is a change ofdirection of the movement of the touch gesture 204 along the graphicalnavigation interface 202. For example, the touch gesture 204 can bemoved in a clockwise direction and reversed to the counter-clockwisedirection or vice versa. When a change of direction is detected, thegraphical navigation interface 202 should not invoke a change in levelor hierarchy.

There are a number ways of detecting the change in direction of thetouch gesture 204 without changing the level of content or informationor application. For example, the determination that movement speed ofthe touch gesture 204 is outside the hierarchy range 224 can be filteredby a minimum time period 820. The minimum time period 820 is used tofilter out the speed changes of the touch gesture 204 being outside thehierarchy range 224 if not outside beyond a minimum duration. Theminimum time period 820 allows for momentarily and advertent change inspeed as well as to accommodate for the change of direction. If thechange in speed is not least for the minimum time period 820, then thechange in level or hierarchy in the information received is not invoked.

A value for the minimum time period 820 can be set based on a number forfactors. For example, the value can be set based on the user'spreference for a fast response time, in which case the value will be setvery low. Also, if the user does not change direction but simplycontinues only along one direction, the value can be set low or even tozero. Also for example, if the graphical user interface 230 depicts onlythe region marker 602 and not the sub-level marker 604, then minimumtime period 820 can set low to allow for faster time. If the spacing,e.g. the first spacing 210 of FIG. 2, the second spacing 226 of FIG. 2,the third spacing 502 of FIG. 5 is dense or include a smaller gap size,then the minimum time period 820 can be set low or high depending on thelength of reaching the desired content or the response time.

The scan module 816 provides a view of the content, information,application, or a combination thereof for a particular hierarchy of theinformation obtained. The scan module 816 continues to monitor the speedof the touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigation interface 202.While the speed is at the scanning speed 218, then the content orinformation relating to the regions 212 and the markers 208 can bedisplayed as described in FIG. 2. If the scan module 816 detects a speedchange in the touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigation interface202, the flow can progress from the scan module 816 back to the velocitymodule 814 to determine the appropriate action.

The level module 818 modifies the graphical navigation interface 202reflecting the transition of hierarchy of the information obtained fromone level to another level. The level may be to go from one level to thesub-level 302 or from the sub-level 302 to a higher level. Thetransition to the sub-level 302 or generally speaking to a lower levelis when the speed of the touch gesture 204 is slower and below the lowervalue of the hierarchy range 224. The transition from the sub-level 302or generally speaking to a higher level is when the speed of the touchgesture increases and is above the higher value of the hierarchy range224.

Similar to the scan module 816, the level module 818 can also monitorthe speed of the touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigationinterface 202. If the level module 818 detects a speed change in thetouch gesture 204 along the graphical navigation interface 202, the flowcan progress from the level module 818 back to the velocity module 814to determine the appropriate action. A change in direction in themovement of the touch gesture 204 along the graphical navigationinterface 202 can also include the flow transition to the velocitymodule 814. If the touch gesture 204 stops, then the content,information, application, or a combination thereof relating to thespecific instance of the markers 208, the region marker 602, or thesub-level marker 604 can be invoked when the touch gesture 204 isreleased from that stopped position. The flow can progress from thelevel module 818 to the selection module 824.

The selection module 824 can invoke the content, information,application, or a combination thereof based on the location of the touchgesture 204 on the graphical navigation interface 202 prior to beingreleased. The selection module 824 can modify the background 206 tomatch the identifying information 220 as described and depicted in FIG.2. The selection module 824 can depict the graphical navigationinterface 202 as generated by the presentation module 808. The selectionmodule 824 can also maintain the graphical navigation interface 202 forthe sub-level 302 where the content was invoked. More details regardingthe selection module 824 is further described in FIG. 10.

The flow can progress from the selection module 824 to other modules.For example, the flow can progress to the retrieval module 802 to obtainadditional information about the selected item or new information abouta different but perhaps related items. The flow can progress to thedetection module 806 to detect the next invocation of the touch gesture204.

It has been discovered that the electronic system 100 provides agraphical navigation interface for interacting user interface elementsin an application design for a phone, tablet, computer, notebook,television, or home appliance. The building blocks of user interfacestructure include of either list or grids structures offering aconsistent and predictable pattern to locate a given item in a listarray. An example is an address book, where a list is used to store anarray of contact names in A-Z order. The lists can also include multiplelevels of organization or multiple hierarchies. In the example of theaddress book, there can be one level of the list elements; all the namesin A-Z order. Other lists can be structured in categories, such as formusic. Any given song can be structured within an album or artist, thenwithin a given genre, as an example. The graphical navigation interfaceaddresses both the multi-level structure of nested lists as well asprovides an easier way to traverse a long list of elements in an array.

It has been discovered that the electronic system 100 provides a userinterface control on a touch screen device that enables the user to useone continuous gesture to navigate a long list of items, and to navigateto sub levels of a hierarchy with the same gesture. The term continuousrefers to one continuous contact before the contact is released.

It has been discovered that the electronic system 100 provides a loopedor circular user interface that will navigate or zoom down to the secondlevel or lower level list when the user scrolls slower in the list andmove up in the hierarchy to the parent list when the user scrolls fasterin the list.

It has been discovered that the electronic system 100 provides a smallthumbnail of artwork or an identifying information for visualrecognition and vibration for haptic feedback to indicate the positionin the list along with an audio/media sampled at the rate of thevelocity or movement of the finger on the user interface control.

It has been discovered that the electronic system 100 provides a loopedor circular user interface that is displayed, whereby the user tracesthe finger along the arc in a continuous motion to move up and down anarray of list items. The list will move in the direction of the user'sgesture—clockwise to move down the list, counterclockwise to move up thelist or reverse view of current hierarchy. As the items in the list moveup an audio sample is played to indicate position in the list, alongwith a small thumbnail of artwork, e.g. the identifying information, forvisual recognition and vibration for haptic feedback. The sample rate ofthe audio clip is based on the velocity or movement of the finger on theuser interface control. When the user scrolls slower in the list, thelist will navigate or zoom down to the second level list. Once in asecond level list, scrolling fast again will move up in the hierarchy tothe parent list, as an example. The movement or zooming from one listlevel to another is indicated by a visual cue.

The electronic system 100 has been described with module functions ororder as an example. The electronic system 100 can partition the modulesdifferently or order the modules differently. For example, the change indirection detected in the velocity module 814 can include the flowprogress to the level module 818 to move up the hierarchy as opposed tostay in the same hierarchy.

Referring now to FIG. 9, therein is shown a control flow of theretrieval module 802. The retrieval module 802 can include a retrievalcheck module 902, a pattern check module 904, a pattern query module906, a default mode module 908, and a past utilization module 910.

The retrieval check module 902 determines which information to retrievebased on factors 912. The factors 912 are used to help establish acontext of when the graphical navigation interface 202 is being invokedor being used. The context helps identify similar situations to aid inselecting the appropriate information when the graphical navigationinterface 202 is being invoked. The factors 912 can include a retrievaltime 916, a retrieval day 918, a retrieval motion 920, and a retrievallocation 922.

The retrieval time 916 represents a timing associated with when thegraphical navigation interface 202 is invoked or being used. The timingcan be a time of day with hours, minutes, seconds, or a combinationthereof. The timing can also be contextual windows within a day, such asworking hours, off-hours, commute time, school time, study time, orbreak time.

The retrieval day 918 represents a daily identification associated withwhen the graphical navigation interface 202 is invoked or being used.The retrieval day 918 can be specific days of the week, such as Sunday,Monday, Tuesday, etc. The retrieval day 918 can represent aclassification of the day, such as a holiday, a weekday, a weekend day,a sick day, a vacation day, a school day, etc.

The retrieval motion 920 provides physical information about the devicewhen the graphical navigation interface 202 is being invoked or beingused. As examples, the retrieval motion 920 can represent the motion,position, orientation, or a combination thereof for the first device 102of FIG. 1 or the second device 106 of FIG. 1. The retrieval motion 920can include the physical information about the first device 102 or thesecond device 106 based on sensors, such a gyroscope or accelerometer,within the device itself.

The retrieval location 922 provides information about the physicallocation where the graphical navigation interface 202 is being invokedor used. The retrieval location 922 can include physical coordinates asthose available with global position system (GPS) or cellulartriangulation, as examples. The retrieval location 922 can also includecontext location information, such a workplace, home, business function,ball game, etc., indicating a description for the location, such as anactivity or an event, rather than pure physical description of thephysical location identification.

The retrieval check module 902 can provide information about the factors912 to help determine what information or content to extract for theretrieval module 802. For example, the retrieval motion 920 can indicatethat the first device 102 is undergoing motion or not very stationary,the retrieval check module 902 can provide the appropriate informationfor the retrieval motion 920 to reflect what information should beextracted. Details about what is extracted is described in the patterncheck module 904 and the pattern query module 906 as well as othermodules that follow.

As a further example, the retrieval time 916, the retrieval day 918, andthe retrieval location 922 can provide fuller information regarding thecontext of when the graphical navigation interface 202 is invoked. Thecombination of these particular factors can indicate not only work hoursor off hours, work day or weekends, or work location or at home but alsocan indicate finer granularities than each of the factors 912 alone. Theretrieval day 918 can indicate a weekend but the retrieval location 922can be at work while the retrieval time 916 can be waking hours. Thisparticular combination can indicate the person is at work and thegraphical navigation interface 202 can be for information or content forthose particular circumstances.

The pattern check module 904 provides storage of past values of thefactors 912 and the information or content selected or shown associatedwith those factors 912. If certain values for the factors 912 have beeninvoked or learned, the information or content are also stored in, forexample, the first storage unit 714 of FIG. 7, the second storage unit746 of FIG. 7, or a combination thereof.

The pattern query module 906 determines if there is a match for thefactors 912 of when the graphical navigation interface 202 is invokedand what is stored in the pattern check module 904. If there is a match,then the flow can progress to the past utilization module 910. If thereis no match, then the flow can progress to the default mode module 908.

The past utilization module 910 provides the information or content forthe graphical navigation interface 202 that was previously stored asvalues for the factors 912 matching in the pattern check module 904. Asan example continuing with the retrieval motion 920 described earlier,the pattern check module 904 can provide information so only the regionmarker 602 of FIG. 6 can be shown and not the sub-level marker 604 ofFIG. 6 to avoid the added granularities that can be difficult to controlwith the first device 102 shaking heavily.

The default mode module 908 provides the information or content for thegraphical navigation interface 202 when the factors 912 do not exactlymatch those found by the pattern check module 904. The default modemodule 908 can present a default set of information or content based onpersonal preferences or when the graphical navigation interface 202 waslast used. The default mode module 908 can present information orcontent from the pattern check module 904 that closely matches thefactors 912 at the time when the graphical navigation interface 202 isinvoked. The factors 912 can still modify how items are presented, suchas a shaking environment as described earlier.

Referring now to FIG. 10, therein is shown a control flow of theselection module 824. The selection module 824 can include a trackingmodule 1002 and interact with the pattern check module 904.

The tracking module 1002 records the factors 912 during the utilizationof the graphical navigation interface 202 of FIG. 2. The factors 912 caninclude a utilization time 1004, a utilization day 1006, a utilizationmotion 1008, and a utilization location 1010.

The utilization time 1004 represents a timing associated with when thegraphical navigation interface 202 is being used. The timing can be atime of day with hours, minutes, seconds, or a combination thereof. Thetiming can also be contextual windows within a day, such as workinghours, off-hours, commute time, school time, study time, or break time.

The utilization day 1006 represents a daily identification associatedwith when the graphical navigation interface 202 is being used. Theutilization day 1006 can be specific days of the week, such as Sunday,Monday, Tuesday, etc. The utilization day 1006 can represent aclassification of the day, such as a holiday, a weekday, a weekend day,a sick day, a vacation day, a school day, etc.

The utilization motion 1008 provides physical information about thedevice when the graphical navigation interface 202 is being used. Asexamples, the utilization motion 1008 can represent the motion,position, orientation, or a combination thereof for the first device 102of FIG. 1 or the second device 106 of FIG. 1. The utilization motion1008 can include the physical information about the first device 102 orthe second device 106 based on sensors, such a gyroscope oraccelerometer, within the device itself.

The utilization location 1010 provides information about the physicallocation where the graphical navigation interface 202 is being used. Theutilization location 1010 can include physical coordinates as thoseavailable with global position system (GPS) or cellular triangulation,as examples. The utilization location 1010 can also include contextlocation information, such a workplace, home, business function, ballgame, etc., indicating a description for the location, such as anactivity or an event, rather than pure physical description of thephysical location identification.

The tracking module 1002 monitors the factors 912 for the selectionmodule 824 and records the values for the utilization time 1004, theutilization day 1006, the utilization motion 1008, and the utilizationlocation 1010 as a user interacts with the graphical navigationinterface 202. As a more specific example, the tracking module 1002 canstore the factors 912 as a selection is made with the graphicalnavigation interface 202.

The tracking module 1002 can also record the state of the graphicalnavigation interface 202 and the information or content shown, forexample, with the pattern check module 904. The retrieval module 802works to compare the retrieval time 916 of FIG. 9, the retrieval day 918of FIG. 9, the retrieval motion 920 of FIG. 9, and the retrievallocation 922 of FIG. 9 with the utilization time 1004, the utilizationday 1006, the utilization motion 1008, and the utilization location1010, respectively, as described in FIG. 9.

The modules described in this application can be hardware implementationor hardware accelerators in the first control unit 712 of FIG. 7 or inthe second control unit 734 of FIG. 7. The modules can also be hardwareimplementation or hardware accelerators within the first device 102 orthe second device 106 but outside of the first control unit 712 or thesecond control unit 734, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 7. However,it is understood that the first control unit 712, the second controlunit 734, or a combination thereof can collectively refer to allhardware accelerators for the modules.

The modules described in this application can be implemented asinstructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to beexecuted by a first control unit 712, the second control unit 734, or acombination thereof. The non-transitory computer medium can include thefirst storage unit 714 of FIG. 7, the second storage unit 746 of FIG. 7,or a combination thereof. The non-transitory computer readable mediumcan include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive, non-volatilerandom access memory (NVRAM), solid-state storage device (SSD), compactdisk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), or universal serial bus (USB) flashmemory devices. The non-transitory computer readable medium can beintegrated as a part of the electronic system 100 or installed as aremovable portion of the electronic system 100.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operation of anelectronic system includes: generating with a control unit a graphicalnavigation interface including a marker in a loop configuration;detecting a touch gesture on the marker; and presenting identifyinginformation associated with the touch gesture.

Referring now to FIG. 11, therein is shown an example of a graphicalnavigation interface 1102 in a further embodiment of the presentinvention. The graphical navigation interface 1102 can operate in asimilar environment with the electronic system 100 as the graphicalnavigation interface 202 of FIG. 2.

As an example, this embodiment pertains to the user interface ofstreaming radio services on mobile devices or generally the first device102 of FIG. 1. Any embodiment addresses the user interface that enablesbetter discover of music within a streaming service.

In this example for streaming radio service, the graphical navigationinterface 1102 addresses the problem of music discovery in streamingservices. Embodiments of the present invention enables a multi-sensorymethod of content or information (e.g. music) discovery, first byenabling the user to can the selection of channels through audiblemeans, second via visual cues (album art, title, artist name), third byphysical stimulation (haptics or vibrations of the phone), or acombination thereof as previously discussed. These combined form a newmethod of scanning and finding compelling music to play.

It has been discovered that the embodiments enable the user to scan awide variety of content or information (e.g. music stations) and sampleeach via an audible queue. The graphical navigation interface 1102scales to n-levels of the regions 212, as music stations in thisexample. In this example, virtually unlimited number of stations can beaccommodated in the graphical navigation interface 1102. The graphicalnavigation interface 1102 can be used without the user actually lookingat the first device 102. The graphical navigation interface 1102 can beoptimized around a repeatable circular shape (generally a shape in aloop configuration) and feedback can be provided audibly, physically, ora combination thereof.

A set of radio stations, represented by each of the regions 212, can bepresented in the graphical navigation interface 1102 in a circular userinterface. Each station or one of the markers 208 can be represented ina set of groups or genres. For example, a set of streaming radiostations can be categorized by genre—Rock, Pop, Classical, bycharacteristic—new releases, up-tempo, sad or any classificationdetermined by a human editor. In the spotlight, as a suggestion,individual stations or each of the markers 208 can be related orcategorized under one of these higher level groupings or the hierarchy214 of FIG. 2. There can be virtually no limit to the number of stationsthat appear under a category or within the full collection of allcategories represented with the regions 212. As an example, thegraphical navigation interface 1102 can accommodate 20 stations or20,000 stations.

Distribution of the stations or the markers 208 within the categories,represented by the regions 212, can be non-uniformly distributed. Forexample, Pop can have 100 stations while Classical can have 5. Thegraphical navigation interface 1102 can accommodates unevendistributions.

The graphical navigation interface 1102 can include a selector indicator1104. The selector indicator 1104 can represent a “playhead” denotes theposition of the category represented by the regions 212 and position ofthe current station represented by one of the markers 208. For example,in a menu for 10 genres, 20 stations per genre, the selector indicator1104 can indicate the exact position in the array. The selectorindicator 1104 would change position depending on the stationposition—Genre 2, Station 16.

The touch gesture 204 around the graphical navigation interface 1102using a 1:1 gesture to change positions. One rotation of the ring asoutlined by the markers 208 can move the selector indicator 1104 a fixednumber of steps or stations. The number of steps can be determined bythe desired “coarseness” of the graphical navigation interface 1102. Forexample, there can be optimally 20-35 markers 208 or stations around onerevolution of the graphical navigation interface 1102. Since stationnumbers can vary within music groupings, the speed the markers 208traverse pass the selector indicator 1104 is variable. If a musiccategory has more channels, the selector indicator 1104 can move slowerthan a grouping with fewer channels.

The selector indicator 1104 can automatically move to the next categoryof channels or the next instance of the regions 212 once the upper orlower boundary of channels has been exceeded when scrolling. Forexample, if the user scrolls beyond the boundaries of Pop, the selectorindicator 1104 will move to the next station grouping, Rock.

For illustrative purposes, the operation of the graphical navigationinterface 1102 is described with the touch gesture 204 is along theregions 212 and the markers 208 and not on the selection indicator 1104although the location of the selection indicator 1104 is used to selectthe content or information. It is understood that the graphicalnavigation interface 1102 can operate differently. The touch gesture 204can be placed on and to move the selection indicator 1104 across theregions 212 and the markers 208 to avoid impeding the view of theregions 212 and the markers 208. In this example, the selectionindicator 1104 functions as an adjustable marker.

The user is given audio feedback on stations represented by the markers208 as the graphical navigation interface 1102 is rotated. An embodimentof the present invention enables the discovery of music based sound. Asan example, the music application pre-caches samples of each radiostation in the background so that when the user interacts with the dialthere is immediate audio feedback, similar to dialing an analog carradio. Once the desired song is heard, the user releases to play.

Stations and genres can be distributed adjacently according to“likeness” in sound, as an example described in FIG. 6. As a furtherexample, the regions 212 and the markers 208 can be distributed alongthe graphical navigation interface 1102 based on the partition module804 of FIG. 8. In an example with music categorization, genres arelisted in alphabetical order. In an audible scanning scenario, where theuser is scrubbing through various channels represented by the regions212, alphabetical order is not the optimal sort order. Both human andalgorithmic logic is used to determine categories of station that soundmost alike. For example, Dance, Pop, Rock, and Hard Rock are a more evendistribution of music where one genre evenly leads into the other.

The graphical navigation interface 1102 can provide visual feedback asthe touch gesture 204 rotates through the clicks or stations of the dialof the graphical navigation interface 1102. In the center of the dial, avisual reference as represented by the identifying information 220 ofthe album cover is shown along with the station identification, artistname and song name at the top of the screen. This is similar to thedescription for the graphical navigation interface 202 as described inFIG. 2 and can be performed with the presentation module 808 of FIG. 8,the traversal module 812 of FIG. 8, or a combination thereof, asexamples.

The graphical navigation interface 1102 can give physical feedback asthe user dials through both the genres represented by the regions 212and the individual stations represented by the markers 208. This issimilar to the description for the graphical navigation interface 202 asdescribed in FIG. 2 and can be performed with the presentation module808 of FIG. 8, the traversal module 812 of FIG. 8, or a combinationthereof, as examples. To indicate clicks through stations of the samegenre, a light click is given. When the user crosses one genre intoanother, a slightly more pronounce click is given, indicating a notch.

On release, the station automatically plays the station where theselection indicator 1104 is located. Once playback starts, the graphicalnavigation interface 1102 can automatically hide to show album artworkof the playing station. If the attempts to touch the screen, thegraphical navigation interface 1102 can detect the presence of thefinger and automatically displays the user interface and can beperformed with the detection module 806 of FIG. 8 as an example.

Operation of the graphical navigation interface 1102 can be described inFIGS. 2-10 as for the graphical navigation interface 202. Further, theretrieval module 802 of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 can place the selectionindicator 1104 relative to the regions 212 and the markers 208 based onthe context and the factors 912 of FIG. 9 for determining the context asdescribed in FIG. 9. Similarly as the touch gesture 204 interacts withthe graphical navigation interface 1102, the selection module 824 ofFIG. 8 and FIG. 9 can also note the location of the selection indicator1104 relative to the regions 212 and the markers 208 also based on thecontext and the factors 912 for establishing context as described inFIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10.

The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or systemis straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile,accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adaptingknown components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing,application, and utilization. Another important aspect of an embodimentof the present invention is that it valuably supports and services thehistorical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasingperformance.

These and other valuable aspects of an embodiment of the presentinvention consequently further the state of the technology to at leastthe next level.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown inthe accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative andnon-limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic system comprising: a control unitconfigured to: generate a graphical navigation interface including amarker in a loop configuration, detect a touch gesture on the marker;and a user interface, coupled to the control unit, configured to presentidentifying information associated with the touch gesture.
 2. The systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to generatethe graphical navigation interface including a selection indicator alongthe loop configuration.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecontrol unit is configured to: detect a change in a gesture speed of thetouch gesture along the graphical navigation interface; and traverse ahierarchy associated with the marker based on the change in the gesturespeed.
 4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit isconfigured to: generate the graphical navigation interface includingmarkers separated with a first spacing; traverse a hierarchy associatedwith one of the markers; and generate the markers at a second spacingfrom each other.
 5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controlunit is configured to generate regions with each of the regionsrepresenting a hierarchy of information associated with the graphicalnavigation interface.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecontrol unit is configured to: generate a region representing ahierarchy of information associated with the graphical navigationinterface; and generate a sub-level in the hierarchy of information forthe marker.
 7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the userinterface configured to display the identifying information within aperimeter of the graphical navigation interface.
 8. The system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to: generateregions and each of the regions including markers; and display themarkers in each of the regions differently to an adjacent region.
 9. Thesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to:generate a hierarchy of information associated with a region of thegraphical navigation interface; and detect a change in a gesture speedof the touch gesture along the graphical navigation interface; andtraverse up the hierarchy associated with the region based on the changein the gesture speed.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecontrol unit is configured to detect a release of the touch gesture tomake a selection for the marker.
 11. A method of operation of anelectronic system comprising: generating with a control unit a graphicalnavigation interface including a marker in a loop configuration;detecting a touch gesture on the marker; and presenting identifyinginformation associated with the touch gesture.
 12. The method as claimedin claim 11 wherein generating the graphical navigation interfaceincludes generating selection indicator along the loop configuration.13. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising traversing ahierarchy associated with the marker based on a change in the gesturespeed.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising:traversing a hierarchy associated with one of the markers separated witha first spacing; and generating the markers at a second spacing fromeach other.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein generating thegraphical navigation interface includes generating regions with each ofthe regions representing a hierarchy of information associated with thegraphical navigation interface.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 11wherein generating the graphical navigation interface includes:generating a region representing a hierarchy of information associatedwith the graphical navigation interface; and generating a sub-level inthe hierarchy of information for the marker.
 17. The method as claimedin claim 11 wherein presenting the identifying information includesdisplaying the identifying information within a perimeter of thegraphical navigation interface.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 11wherein generating the graphical navigation interface includes:generating regions and each of the regions including markers; anddisplaying the markers in each of the regions differently to an adjacentregion.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprisingtraversing up a hierarchy associated with the region based on a changein the gesture speed.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 11 furthercomprising detecting a release of the touch gesture to make a selectionfor the marker.
 21. A graphical user interface to navigate a hierarchyof content on an electronic system comprising: markers separated by aregion with the markers and region in a loop configuration.
 22. Thegraphical user interface as claimed in claim 21 further comprisingidentifying information within a perimeter of the formed by the regionand the markers.
 23. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 21further comprising identifying information shown as a background. 24.The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 21 further comprisingidentifying information shown outside a perimeter formed by the regionand the markers.
 25. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 21wherein the markers include sets of markers on different sides of theregion and depicted differently from the other set.
 26. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium including instructions for execution, themedium comprising: generating a graphical navigation interface includinga marker in a loop configuration; detecting a touch gesture on themarker; and presenting identifying information associated with the touchgesture.
 27. The medium as claimed in claim 26 wherein generating thegraphical navigation interface includes generating selection indicatoralong the loop configuration.
 28. The medium as claimed in claim 26further comprising traversing a hierarchy associated with the markerbased on a change in the gesture speed.
 29. The medium as claimed inclaim 26 further comprising: traversing a hierarchy associated with oneof the markers separated with a first spacing; and generating themarkers at a second spacing from each other.
 30. The medium as claimedin claim 26 wherein generating the graphical navigation interfaceincludes generating regions with each of the regions representing ahierarchy of information associated with the graphical navigationinterface.